Pages

Advertise Here

Get Cruising

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Want to do something now to help Save The Kimberley?

Hello Save The Kimberley supporters,People often ask us what they can do to help in the campaign to stop inappropriate industrialisation of the Kimberley. The threat of an LNG processing precinct is at our doorstep, and quite a lot is happening in the campaign locally and nationally, so please keep updated by reading the 'latest news' page of our website and find us also on Facebook. To support Save The Kimberley financially visit our donations page.We write to you today to tell you something simple and important that you can do from your own home if only you have a little time to spare. A letter writing campaign has been launched in Broome to let our environment minister know that many of us have concerns about the gas and we need him to address these concerns. Environment Minister Tony Burke is expected to make his final decision on the cultural and environmental assessment for the project sometime later this year, so the more voices he hears, the better. Politicians tell us that letter writing is an extremely effective way to get politicians to listen, so please take the time to write a letter for the Kimberley.

Federal environment minister Tony Burke

Below is part of a letter writing guide from Environs Kimberley. You can see the whole thing at:http://www.environskimberley.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-29-Letter-writing-flier.pdfWe would like to thank E.K. for making this information available to pass on to you. For greatest effectiveness, please pass this on to any friends, family, or co-workers who might be sympathetic.Warm regards,The Save the Kimberley committee Do you want to help in the fight against a gas hub on the Kimberley coast?WRITE A LETTER TODAY!Individual letters to politicians CAN make a real impact – it's well worth your time to send a letter, and to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do so too. Letter writing is one of the best ways we have to make ourselves heard directly by decision makers!Letter writing is a tried and true part of the political process – let's make use of it.Federal Environment Minister Burke needs to hear from the community that we don't want this gas plant to go ahead, and that we consider HIM responsible for making sure it doesn't!Here are some tips to write a powerful letter:MAKE IT SHORT AND SNAPPY. i.e. try to get it on to one page. Your letter doesn't have to be wordy, or spout lots of science facts or figures to be taken seriously. Write your letter in your own words, with a simple summary of your main concerns.INTRODUCE YOURSELF. e.g. …I've lived in Broome for xx years/I've visited Broome xx times… I am a small business owner/work in the tourism industry/am a teacher/nurse/doctor…SAY WHY BROOME AND THE KIMBERLEYMATTERS TO YOU. e.g. Broome/Kimberley is a very special place to me because:…it's one of the few places in the world that hasn't been industrialized.…very strong sense of place/community…it's culturally diverse and tolerant.…the Kimberley is one of the last large, intact natural areas in the world…BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR CONCERNS.Let the Minister know why you don't want the Kimberley industrialised, and what most concerns you about the proposed gas hub:e.g…that the WA government is forcing the project on the community.…I'm concerned about air pollution.…I'm worried about what this will mean for my local community.…I don't want Broome to become just another WA mining town/the Kimberley to become another Pilbara.TELL THE MINISTER YOU CONSIDER HIM RESPONSIBLE.Make it clear that you consider the Minister has a responsibility to show leadership and protect the Kimberley's environment (i.e. decisions shouldn't just be made at the state level)e.g. … Minister Burke, I understand that you have the final say on whether the gas proposal for James Price Point will go ahead. You must not let this happen.AT THE END, ASK A QUESTION SO THAT THE MINISTER HAS TO RESPOND TO YOUR LETTER.e.g … Minister Burke, please tell me what action you plan to take to ensure that the Kimberley, one of the world's great natural areas, is protected? I look forward to your response.SEND YOUR LETTER VIA THE POST, NOT EMAIL.Address your letter to the Honorable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.The correct salutation to Minister Burke is Dear Minister (i.e. not Dear Mr. Burke or Dear Tony)